Robinson may be difficult to replace

Nanci G. Hutson

Updated 11:56 pm, Tuesday, February 26, 2013

NEWTOWN -- In the best of times, the search for a schools superintendent can be a challenging, time-consuming effort. Add that to a school district trying to recover from a major trauma and the decisions required to help the healing process, and the prospect of finding the best candidate becomes even more daunting.

On Wednesday, Newtown Superintendent Janet Robinson is slated to be named the new superintendent in Stratford, with her position to begin on July 1.

So, what comes next?

How will the Newtown school board go about finding a replacement, and who might take the job that became politically divisive before the Sandy Hook shootings?

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Board to meetThe Board of Education will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Municipal Center.

Robinson's leadership over the past year has been criticized, and her supporters believe her tense relationship with some members of the school board led to her earlier-than-expected departure.

To combat the odds, Cirasuolo and the head of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, Robert Rader, said the district would be well-served to consider hiring an interim superintendent and an experienced search consultant to recruit a strong field of candidates. Any search process is likely to take between six and nine months, they said.

"There is no sense in being penny wise and pound foolish," Cirasuolo said. "They want to get a Cadillac. They are going to need all the help they can get."

"Newtown, at this time, is in a rather unique situation because of the tragedy and the spotlight upon it," Rader said.

But Rader said he is confident they will find someone who will provide the guidance and leadership required.

All over the country, people saw how Newtown has pulled "together through this horrendous event," Rader said. "My own thinking at this point is that there will be people eager to work with the community and work with the school board. It's finding the right mix that may take a little time.

"You need a person with a lot of emotional intelligence, sensitivity and thoughtfulness when it comes to running a school district, this one in particular," Rader said. "I have every reason to believe the board and community will be able to find somebody who can help heal this community and be willing to work with the wonderful staff and people in the school district."

Messages left for Newtown Board of Education Chairman Debbie Leidlein were not immediately returned.

Board member Bill Hart said Tuesday that in the past the board has an interim to provide time for a thorough superintendent search. He said qualified candidates are limited.

Between the political turbulence and the shooting aftermath, Hart said finding the right leader may be more challenging in Newtown than other districts. However, Newtown's situation may "weed out the weak ones," he said.

"If you decide you want to become a superintendent, you have to have pretty thick skin; it comes with the territory," Hart said, noting Robinson was no shrinking violet during her five years. "The lesson we need to learn is that we need to have a good relationship with whoever replaces (Robinson). We need a strong leader."